When I was a kid, my mom would play me “Proud Mary” over and over while I danced around our living room and sang at the top of my lungs into my toy mic. The power in her voice and in that song made me a lifelong admirer of Tina Turner.
Tina Turner spoke a universal language. Through her music, she told stories of love and loss, of triumph and pain, and she told them in a way that people around the world could understand and relate to. Her songs – and the power with which she sang them – have moved millions.
Tina Turner lived the things she sang about
Many of these songs were about freedom, individuality and self-determination – at a time when such concepts were still taboo for black artists. But Tina Turner didn’t just give these values a voice – she lived them. On stage and in her personal life, she was all Tina. With her mere presence being an affront to the status quo, she stood tall and proud and showed the world that rock stars can look like her too, and reminded us all how important it is, as our true, authentic to live by myself.
The real, authentic Tina Turner was a global icon who left an indelible mark on American music and culture. In addition to countless awards and honors, the “Queen of Rock & Roll” was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame not just once, but twice. With Grammy wins in the pop, rock and R&B categories, Tina Turner influenced a range of genres more than many artists before her. She has helped develop our nation’s music.
Suffering became the fuel for their rocket to the top
Tina Turner sacrificed a lot to have the success she has. All her life she has endured racism, sexism and domestic violence – experiences that no one should ever have to face. But she faced these challenges with courage and conviction. As she later put it, experiences that “could have shattered me instead became the fuel for my journey, catapulting me to the top.” Those experiences became the fuel for the journey of so many others – listeners to whom she sings about Struggle and Overcoming inspired. And even today her life is a testimony to all those who believe in what can be without dealing with what has been.
When I was growing up, my mother often said to me, “Kamala, you may be the first to do many things. Make sure you’re not the last.” Throughout her life, Tina Turner was indeed the first to do many things. She was the first woman and the first black woman to be featured on the cover of ROLLING STONE, to name just a few. But through her lifelong work mentoring and nurturing younger artists, she broadened the path and ensured she would not be the last.
Through her music and style, Tina Turner has transformed the way we express ourselves and have fun. The joy she shared with us will live on in her music as long as we sing and dance to it.
Kamala Harris is the Vice President of the United States. She wrote this tribute text exclusively for rollingstone.com.
